JP2010097332A - Input support apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input support apparatus for obtaining an operating procedure without gazing at a display section. <P>SOLUTION: The input support apparatus 1 used for selecting a desired one of selector switches 21a-21g displayed on a screen of a display 2 includes: an operation lever 43 disposed separately from the display 2 and has a positional relation corresponding to each of selector switches 21a-21g; an X-axis driving motor 44 and Y-axis driving motor 45 for moving the position of the operation lever 43; and a control section 3 for controlling the position of the operation lever 43 based on a predetermined selection order. Since the position of the operation lever 43 is moved in the predetermined selection order, a driver can obtain the operating procedure without gazing at the screen of the display 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input support apparatus for selecting and inputting a desired item from among a plurality of selection items displayed on a screen of a display unit.

Conventionally, as an input support device, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-227387, a reference icon is determined in advance among a plurality of icons included in an operation menu, and an operation knob is operated to move the reference icon with a cursor. What is selected is known. In this apparatus, when the reference icon is selected by the cursor, the operation knob vibrates so that the user can recognize that the reference icon is selected.
JP 2004-227387A

  However, since the operation procedure is guided only visually, the above-described device has a problem that the operation procedure is not known when the driver cannot watch the operation menu while driving the vehicle.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a technical problem, and an object thereof is to provide an input support device capable of grasping an operation procedure without gazing at a display unit.

  That is, the input support device according to the present invention is provided separately from the display unit in the input support device for selecting and inputting a desired item from among a plurality of selection items displayed on the screen of the display unit. An operation unit having a corresponding positional relationship, a drive unit that moves the operation unit so that the position of the operation unit matches the position of a plurality of selection items, and a control that controls the position of the operation unit based on a predetermined selection order And a portion.

  According to this invention, since the operation unit having a positional relationship corresponding to each selection item displayed on the screen of the display unit is provided, each selection item can be selected and input via the operation unit. And since it has a control part which controls the position of an operation part based on the selection order decided beforehand, the position of an operation part is moved along the selection order decided beforehand by the control part. Therefore, the user can recognize the operation procedure with a tactile sense by moving the position of the operation unit. As a result, the user can grasp the operation procedure without gazing at the screen of the display unit.

  In the input support device according to the present invention, the display unit is preferably a display unit of an in-vehicle information display device.

  In this case, it is possible to grasp the operation procedure of the in-vehicle information display device by tactile sense even if the user does not watch the screen of the in-vehicle information display device while traveling.

  In the input support apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the input support apparatus further includes a voice generation unit that reads out the name of an item when a desired item is selected from a plurality of selection items.

  In this case, by notifying the user of the name of the selected item by voice, the user can operate without gazing at the screen of the display unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the input assistance apparatus which can grasp | ascertain an operation procedure, without gazing at a display part can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the input support apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a car navigation system mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an input support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The input support apparatus 1 includes a display (display unit) 2, a control unit 3, an operation unit 4, and a sound generation unit 5. The display 2 and the operation unit 4 are separately arranged at physically separated positions in the vehicle interior.

  The display 2 is composed of, for example, a color liquid crystal screen, and is disposed at a substantially central portion of the vehicle instrument panel, and displays a route from the current location to the destination. On the screen of the display 2, a plurality of selection switches (selection items) 21a to 21g are displayed. These selection switches 21a to 21g receive a driver (user) input operation and select whether or not to execute a predetermined function by the input operation.

  The selection switches 21a to 21g can be input by touching them directly with a finger or the like, for example. On both sides of the display 2 are escutcheon switches such as an “AUDIO” switch 22, an “AM / FM” switch 23, an “A / C” switch 24, a “current location” switch 25, a “destination” switch 26 and a “menu” switch 27. Are arranged symmetrically across the screen.

  The control unit 3 is a control unit for controlling the entire input support apparatus 1 and is mainly configured by a computer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, for example. For example, the control unit 3 controls the display 2, extracts corresponding image data from an internal memory (not shown) by a signal from the escutcheon switch, and transmits the image data to the display 2. The control unit 3 has a function of storing a predetermined selection order and the like, and controls the position of an operation lever 43 (to be described later) based on the predetermined selection order.

  The sound generation unit 5 is connected to the control unit 3, extracts a corresponding sound from a sound database (not shown) based on a control signal from the control unit 3, and outputs the extracted sound data via the speaker 6. It has a function. For example, when the driver selects the “display change” switch 21 d from among the plurality of selection switches 21 a to 21 g, the voice generation unit 5 extracts the voice data of “display change” from the voice database and passes the driver through the speaker 6. To inform. In this way, the driver can operate without gazing at the screen of the display 2 by notifying the driver of the name of the selected switch by voice.

  Further, when the position of the operation lever 43 is matched with the position of each of the selection switches 21a to 21g, the voice generation unit 5 may notify the driver of the name of the switch by voice. For example, when the driver sets the position of the operation lever 43 to the position of the “re-search” switch 21e with the cursor on the display 2, the voice generation unit 5 extracts the “re-search” voice data from the voice database, and the speaker Inform the driver through 6. In this case, it is possible to reliably prevent an erroneous operation by notifying the driver of the content of the selection switch before inputting the selection.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the operation unit in FIG. 1. The operation unit 4 is an input unit that is connected to the control unit 3 and used to select and input a desired switch from among the selection switches (for example, 21a to 21g) displayed on the display 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 4 includes rails 41 and 42 extending along the left and right direction of the vehicle (that is, the X-axis direction) and the front and rear direction of the vehicle (that is, the Y-axis direction) and the rails 41 and 42, respectively. An operating lever (operating unit) 43 is provided. The operation lever 43 is formed to have a positional relationship corresponding to each of the selection switches 21a to 21g displayed on the display 2. The driver can operate any selection switch, icon, or the like via the operation lever 43.

  The operation unit 4 includes an X-axis drive motor (driving unit) 44 for reciprocating the operation lever 43 along the rail 41 and a Y-axis for reciprocating the operation lever 43 along the rail 42. A drive motor (drive unit) 45 is provided. Further, an X-axis position detection sensor 46 and a Y-axis position detection sensor 47 that detect the position of the operation lever 43 are installed on the rails 41 and 42.

  Therefore, when the driver moves the operation lever 43, the position of the operation lever 43 is detected by the X-axis position detection sensor 46 and the Y-axis position detection sensor 47 as needed. The X-axis position detection sensor 46 and the Y-axis position detection sensor 47 transmit the detected position data of the operation lever 43 to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 receives the position data of the operation lever 43 transmitted from the X-axis position detection sensor 46 and the Y-axis position detection sensor 47, and compares the position data with the positions of the selection switches 21a to 21g of the display 2. Then, the selection switch having the closest relative position is determined. Further, the control unit 3 activates the determined selection switch and transmits the coordinate data to the operation unit 4.

  The X-axis drive motor 44 and the Y-axis drive motor 45 are controlled by the control unit 3 and can move the operation lever 43 to a predetermined position in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 3. The operation unit 4 is provided with a determination switch 48. When the driver wants to execute a function corresponding to a desired switch, the switch can be selected and determined by pressing the determination switch 48.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input support apparatus 1 further includes a navigation ECU 7 and an air conditioner ECU 8. The navigation ECU 7 is connected to the control unit 3, creates a map screen, route guidance screen data, and the like based on a GPS signal, a map database, and the like, and communicates the created data to the control unit 3. Further, the navigation ECU 7 communicates designation of the operation screen for navigation and display data to the control unit 3. The air conditioner ECU 8 is connected to the control unit 3, controls the air conditioner based on a control signal from the control unit 3, and transmits information such as the operation state of the air conditioner to the control unit 3.

  According to the input support device 1 configured as described above, since the operation lever 43 having a positional relationship corresponding to each selection switch 21a to 21g displayed on the screen of the display 2 is provided, each selection is made via the lever 43. The switches 21a to 21g can be selectively input. And since it has the control part 3 which controls the position of the operation lever 43 based on the predetermined selection order, the position of the operation lever 43 is moved along the selection order predetermined by the control part 3. Therefore, the driver can recognize the operation procedure by touch by moving the position of the operation lever 43. As a result, the driver can grasp the operation procedure without gazing at the screen of the display 2.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the input support apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

Example 1
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an input operation of the input support apparatus. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming input of destination setting.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the map information is displayed on the display 2, when the “destination” switch 26 is selected, the display screen of the display 2 is switched to the destination selection screen. (See FIG. 3B).

  The control unit 3 activates the “name” switch 28 and transmits a control signal related to the coordinate data of the switch 28 to the operation unit 4. In the operation unit 4, the X-axis drive motor 44 and the Y-axis drive motor 45 change the position of the operation lever 43 based on the control signal from the control unit 3 to the position of the “name” switch 28 on the display 2 (that is, the coordinates). The operation lever 43 is moved so as to match the data position.

  When the driver presses the decision switch 48 after the position of the operation lever 43 is set to the position of the “name” switch 28, the display screen of the display 2 is switched to the name input screen (see FIG. 3C). It will be ready for input. On the name input screen, the control unit 3 sequentially guides the position of the operation lever 43 based on a predetermined operation procedure, and the driver presses the decision switch 48 to input the position.

(Example 2)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an input operation of the input support device. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming input of destination setting.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the map information is displayed on the display 2, when the “destination” switch 26 is selected, the display screen of the display 2 is switched to the destination selection screen. (See FIG. 4 (b)). Here, the “memory” switch 30 is prepared on the operation screen, and when the driver wants to store the procedure, the “memory” switch 30 is pressed. As a result, the operation procedure is stored in the storage unit (not shown) of the control unit 3.

  If the “memory” switch 30 shown in FIG. 4B stores the operation procedure for selecting the “address” switch 29, the control unit 3 will display the “address” when the destination selection screen is displayed from the next time. The switch 29 is activated and a control signal related to the coordinate data of the “address” switch 29 is transmitted to the operation unit 4. In the operation unit 4, the X-axis drive motor 44 and the Y-axis drive motor 45 change the position of the operation lever 43 on the display 2 based on the control signal from the control unit 3 (that is, the coordinates) The operation lever 43 is moved so as to match the data position.

  Then, when the driver presses the decision switch 48 after the position of the operation lever 43 is set to the position of the “address” switch 29, the display screen of the display 2 is switched to the address input screen. Subsequently, for example, when “Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture” is stored, the control unit 3 sequentially guides the position of the operation lever 43 based on a predetermined operation procedure, and the driver presses the determination switch 48. This is input (FIG. 4C).

  By storing the operation procedure in this way, the stored operation procedure can be reproduced from the next time. That is, when the operation screen is called from the next time, the control unit 3 guides the operation lever 43 to a predetermined position via the X-axis drive motor 44 and the Y-axis drive motor 45 based on the stored procedure. Can do. In this case, the operating lever 43 moves and reads the names of the switches that can be operated, so that the driver can operate only by pressing the decision switch 48 without looking at the operation screen, and blind operation is also possible. become.

(Example 3)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an input operation of the input support device. In the present embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that the home setting is input, and the home setting operation procedure is stored in the control unit 3 in advance.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5A, the “menu” switch 27 on the display 2 is selected, and the “set home” switch 31 is prepared on the screen of the display 2 (see FIG. 5B). The input of the home setting is preferably set when, for example, a new car is purchased and returned to the home. Once the home setting is made, the “set home” switch 31 is not displayed next time.

  When the “set home” switch 31 is selected, the operation lever 43 is automatically guided according to the following procedure. That is, the control unit 3 sequentially guides the operation lever 43 to a predetermined position via the X-axis drive motor 44 and the Y-axis drive motor 45 based on the operation procedure stored in advance, and the driver determines By pressing the switch 48, the input screen can be switched or the selection of a desired switch can be confirmed.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the operation lever 43 is guided to the position of the “memory point” switch 32 by the control unit 3. And if a driver | operator presses the determination switch 48, the display screen of the display 2 will be switched to a memory point screen (refer FIG.5 (d)). On the memory point screen, the operation lever 43 is guided to the position of the “registration” switch 33. When the driver presses the determination switch 48, the display screen of the display 2 is switched to the memory location registration screen (see FIG. 5E).

  On the memory location registration screen, the operation lever 43 is guided to the position of the “current location” switch 34. When the driver presses the decision switch 48, the display screen of the display 2 is switched to the map screen (see FIG. 5 (f)). On the map screen, the operation lever 43 is guided to the position of the “SET” switch 35. Then, when the driver presses the determination switch 48, the display screen of the display 2 is switched to the memory point screen (see FIG. 5G).

  On the memory point screen, the operation lever 43 is guided to the position of the “change type to home special memory” switch 36. Then, when the driver presses the determination switch 48, the type change process is executed in the home special memory. After this type change processing is completed, the operation lever 43 is guided to the “complete” switch 37. When the driver presses the determination switch 48, the home setting process ends.

  In this way, the control unit 3 sequentially guides the operation lever 43 to a predetermined position based on the operation procedure stored in advance, and the driver switches the input screen only by pressing the determination switch 48, or the desired switch By confirming the selection, it is possible to easily perform home setting without the driver knowing the operation procedure or looking at the instruction manual.

Example 4
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an input operation of the input support device. In this embodiment, description will be made assuming that a destination name is input. As a feature of the present embodiment, the character input next to the input character is activated, and the position of the operation lever 43 is automatically guided to the character with the highest probability among the candidate characters following the input character. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when “Toyo” is input on the destination name input screen of the display 2 (see FIG. 6B), the control unit 3 displays candidate characters following “Toyo”. Of these, it is determined that the probability of “ta” is the highest, and the cursor is moved to the position of “ta” on the dial (see FIG. 6B). At the same time, the control unit 3 transmits a control signal to the X-axis drive motor 44 and the Y-axis drive motor 45 so that the position of the operation lever 43 is matched with the position of “t” on the dial. As a result, the position of the operation lever 43 is guided to the position of “TA” on the dial. When the driver presses the determination switch 48, “TA” is input to the screen of the display 2 (see FIG. 6C).

  Next, the control unit 3 determines that the probability of “shi” is the highest among the candidate characters following “toyota” inputted, and moves the cursor to the position of “shi” on the dial. At the same time, the control unit 3 transmits a control signal to the X-axis driving motor 44 and the Y-axis driving motor 45 so that the position of the operation lever 43 is matched with the position of the “shi” on the dial. As a result, the position of the operation lever 43 is guided to the position of “shi” on the dial. Then, when the driver presses the determination switch 48, “shi” is input to the screen of the display 2.

  The above operation is repeatedly performed until the input of the destination name is completed. In this case, the input time can be shortened by guiding the position of the operation lever 43 to the character with the highest probability among candidate characters following the input character.

  The input support apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, when the user is in a place other than the vicinity of the home and the destination selection screen is pressed, the control unit 3 may guide the operation lever 43 to the “return to home” switch. In this case, the trouble of searching can be saved and the usability of the input support apparatus 1 can be improved.

  The control unit 3 may store switches frequently used by the driver from past operation histories, and guide the operation lever 43 to the position of the switch stored in advance when switching to the operation screen by the screen selection switch. Furthermore, the switches that the driver wants to use such as the AUDIO operation screen, A / C operation screen, destination setting screen, etc. are determined to some extent, and each time these screens are selected, the operation lever 43 may be guided to the switch. Good. In this case, the selection time can be shortened.

  The embodiment described above is an example of the input support apparatus according to the present invention, and the input support apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the one described in the embodiment. The input support device according to the present invention may be a modification of the input support device according to the embodiment or application to other devices without changing the gist described in each claim.

It is a schematic block diagram of the input assistance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the operation unit of FIG. It is a figure which shows input operation of an input assistance apparatus. It is a figure which shows input operation of an input assistance apparatus. It is a figure which shows input operation of an input assistance apparatus. It is a figure which shows input operation of an input assistance apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input assistance apparatus, 2 ... Display (display part), 3 ... Control part, 5 ... Sound generation part, 21a-21g ... Selection switch (selection item), 43 ... Operation lever (operation part), 44 ... X-axis drive Motor (drive unit), 45... Y-axis drive motor (drive unit).

Claims (3)

In an input support apparatus for selecting and inputting a desired item from among a plurality of selection items displayed on the screen of the display unit,
The operation unit is provided separately from the display unit, and has a positional relationship corresponding to the selection items.
A drive unit that moves the operation unit so that the position of the operation unit matches the position of the plurality of selection items;
A control unit for controlling the position of the operation unit based on a predetermined selection order;
An input support apparatus comprising:   The input support device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is a display unit of an in-vehicle information display device. The input support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a voice generation unit that reads a name of the item when a desired item is selected from the plurality of selection items.

Images